Apparatus for handling book-borrowing transactions



NOV. 28, 1967 A ERODY ETAL 3,355,344

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BOOK-BORROWING TRANSACTIONS /A/VEA/TO/QS:

AR THU@ 54900)/ TTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 A BRODY ETAL 3,355,344

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BOOK-BORROWING TRANSACTIONS Filed Dec. 4, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ILAl B` MM;

TORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 A. BRODY ETAL APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BOOK-BORROWING TRANSACTIONS 3 Sheets-Shee, 5

Filed Dec. fl, 1964 United States Patent O 3 355 344 APPARATUS FR HADLING BOOK-BORROWING TRANSACTIONS -Arthur Brody, South Orange, NJ., Richard Sroka, Ja-

maica, N.Y., and Emil J. `Ozimek, Williamsport, Pa., assignors to Bro-Dart Industries, a Vcorporation of New `ersey Filed Dec. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 416,056

. 8 Claims. (Cl. 156-355) This invention relates generally to library-book charging systems, and has particular reference to an improved apparatus for use in libraries to facilitate the control and recording of book borrowing transactions. It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus by means of which the procedure set forth in our newly issued patent may be carrried out. That procedure,'and the apparatus embodying the features of the present invention, make it possible to handle book- 'borrowing transactions in a manner which obviates many of the shortcomings of conventional systems, and affords numerous advantages not heretofore readily attainable.

The invention is predicated upon the employment and provision of the customary book card, one for each book and the customary borrower card for each patron, bearing his name and address and possibly other relevant data-The procedure involves, also, the provision for each transaction of a special label-like tab or element which bears the borrower information and a due-date desiguation, and which is adhesively secured to the book card in a way which makes it readily removable at a later date without impairment of the book card. The informationbearing tab also includes a second due-date designation on an area which is readily severable from the body of the tab at the time of the borrowing, and applicable to the book itself in a readily removable manner.

A feature of the apparatus to which the present invention is specifically directed resides in the -provision of a thoroughly practicable and reliable means for performing, all at one time, the steps of imprinting borrower information on one section of a tab of suitable material, imprinting due-date designations on two other sections thereof, and adhesively applying the body of the tab to the book card. Preferably the imprinted tab is an end region of a continuous supply inthe form of a tape, and the severance of this end region is automatically accomplished by an applicator as part of the simultaneous performanc 'of the imprinting and tab-applying steps.

The imprinting of the'desired information on the tab 4can b e achieved by the use of a simple inked ribbon, such as that customarily usedin typewriters, traveling stepwise from' one reel to another. This imprinting apparatus is carried by and forms part of the tab applicator.

An objective of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is usually compact and unobtrusive, light enough in weight to be portable and to be positionable on any convenient table or, counter, and exceptionally simple in mode of operation. Another object is to provide a device which is almost completely automatic, calling upon the librarian to perform a minimum of operations which involve, primarily, merely the insertion of the borrower card into proper place on the applicator, and the insertion of the book card to tab-receiving position. The apparatus includes electric circuitry whereby the insertion of the book card is all that is necessary to initiate a complete cycle of operation.

A further objective is to provide an apparatus which is entirely safe, and Whose several operations are automatically monitored to insure proper sequential performance and to prevent malfunctioning or conict. The appainvolved.

ice

ratus is housed in protective and protected fashion, yet the mechanism is readily accessible for servicing.

The apparatus of the present invention is characterized by the provision of a downwardly directed platen, a solenoid beneath it, and a tab applicator carried by the solenoid core and movable upward against the platen when the solenoid is energized. Coupled with this compact and unusually fast-operating and effective association of parts is a supply of adhesive-coated imprintable tape, and a means including an electric motor for intermittently advancing it to interpose successive and regions between the platen and the applicator. Coordinating the functioning of these elements in proper sequence is circuitry that assures the achievement of the following results, among others:

(l) The electrical loperation can be initiated by mere placement of the book card into proper tab-receiving position.

(2) The upward applicator movement is almost instantaneous. It is initiated by energization of the solenoid and the return movement is gravity actuated.

(3) The advancement of the tape can take place only after tab application has occurred and the tab applicator has returned to its lower position, thus withdrawing the Athough the user may, through inadvertence, hold the book card in place longer than necessary, or try to reactivate the applicator prematurely.

In general, the objective of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is structurally as simple as possible and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to operate, and reliable in fulfilling its functions in the contemplated manner over long periods of use. A preferred way of achieving these objects, and such other:benets and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which- FIG. 1 is a face view of a book card showing one way in which an information-bearing tab may be applied to it;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention; l

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the apparatus in readiness for a tab imprinting and applying procedure;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, with the tab applicator in its raised position; v

' FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of the principal elements of the apparatus; and Y FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram, with some parts of the apparatus indicated diagrammatically to show the relationships The function of the apparatus is to .imprint a tab and aflii it adhesively to a book card, to produce the device illustratively shown in FIG. 1. The book card 10 bears the usual information relating to the book with which it is associated. -The attached tab has a body portion 11 on which borrower information is imprinted, and two adjacent sections 12 and 13 on each of which a due date has been imprinted. These sections are-separated by a line of weakness 14 which makes it possible to tear oi the section 13. The section 13, as well as the body portion 11 of the tab, is provided on its rear face with pressure-sensitive adhesive. This makes i-t possible to attach the section 13 to the book itself when it is borrowed. The book card 10, with the informational tab affixed to it, is retained by the library. When the book is returned the section 13 is removed from the book and the tab is removed from the card 10, the functions of these elements having been completed.

The advantages of this method of ticketing book cards, and the variations that are possible (e.g., in the locating of the tab on the book card), are described in our aforementioned patent, and therefore will not now be repeated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the apparatus of the present invention has the exterior appearance of a substantially rectangular-box or container 15. A cable 16 leads from it and termina-tes in a connection plug 17 -by means of which electric power of ordinary household voltage may be furnished to the mechanism within the apparatus. A main switch 18 permits the device to be turned on and off. Accessible to the librarian on the exterior of the apparatus is a rotatable knob 19 by means of which one of a series of dates can be presented in an operative disposition during the imprinting procedure, a guide or holder 20 for the temporary insertion of a borrower card 21, and a slot into which a book card may be inserted to a tabreceiving position.

Structural details of the box or container have not been illustrated. Suice it to point out that the walls are so associated that the cover 15 may be readily lifted, and the front wall, possibly other walls as well, swung aside, for access -to the interior mechanism. Such access is required for the initial introduction, or replacement, of a supply roll of adhesive-coated material; for the replacement of a printing ribbon; and for general servicing. Otherwise, the

box remains closed at all times, and its employment requires merely that the plug 17 be connected, the switch 18 be turned on, the date stamp 19 adjusted to the desired date indication, the borrower card 21 be temporarily inserted, and the book card 10 momentarily introduced. The insertion of lthe book card 10 initiates the operation, Vand in a fraction of a second a tab such as that shown in FIG. 1 is adhesively attached to the book card 10. The borrower card 21 is then immediately returned to the book borrower. The apparatus adjusts itself automatically into a condition of readiness for the next transaction.

0n the interior of the apparatus are the parts schemtically depicted in FIG. 5. The structural details showing the manner in which they are supported'have not been shown, since they are not necessary for an understanding of the features and mode of operation of the invention. A supply 22 of Ya readily imprintable material is furnished in the form of a continuous web or tape. It is mounted on a supply spool 23, and it is drawn from this spool around and over appropriate guide rollers 2 4 and across a guide plate 25 to a friction feed roller 26. It passes between this roller and a shear plate 27 (seeFIQS. 2 and 3) so that its 'end region 28 is in an overhanging disposition, ready to be sheared oft bythe action of a knife 'or shearing4 element 29 adapted to cooperate with the shear platey 27. The tape 22 is coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive on one face. As

Ybest indicated in FIG. 5, this face is uppermost as the material passes over the guide plate 25. The adhesive is rpresent in the form of two spacedareas, onea relatively lbroad area 30,' the other a relatively narrow area 31, there wardly against this platen is a tab applicator designated generally by the ref erencenumeral 34. By vappropriate structure, this applicator is secured to the core of a solenoid 35 mounted close to the oor of the apparatus. The 'solenoid core has not been shown, but it is of known character and assumes aV rest position, when the solenoid is 'deefi'ergize'ch at the lower end of ashort `stroke of mvement. When the solenoid is energized, the core is drawn may consist, for example, of the yoke structure 36, the transverse rod 37, and the upwardly extending parts se,- cured to the rod 37 as best indicated in FIG. 5. 'Ihe shearing element 29 is carried by the applicator 34. It also carries a mechanism, designated generally by the reference numeral 38 (FIG. 5), which nsupports a carbonized ribbon 39, similar to a typewriter ribbon, with its inked surface extending across the ytop of the applicator 34 and facing upward toward the platen Directly beneath this lap of the ribbon 39 is the guide 20 adapted to accommodate the borrower card 21. An adjustable spotter 40.is slidable in a transverse direction across the guide 20 and is provided at its inner end, directly beneath the ribbon 39 with a marking point which imprints a dot in a corresponding region ofthe book card. This marking is applied directly to the book card and not to the tab which is only temporarily aixed to the book card.

Also carried by` and movable with the applicator 34 is a mercury splash switch 41. Mounted in the housing beneath -the applicator 34, and actuated by a projecting element 42 carried by the applicator 34, is a switch 43. For a purpose presently to be described, the mercury splash vswitch 41 is normally open and is momentarily closed upon impact of the applicator 34 against the platen 33, whenever the solenoid 35 is energized to move the appli cator 34 upwardly; and the switch 43 is normally closed, and held so by the element 42, but it opens automatically whenever `the applicator 34 rises from its normal lower rest position.

Suitably supported within the housing is an electric motor 44 (see FIG. 6) which is Iappropriately connected Y in driving relation to the feed roller 26. `For example, a chain 45 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may serve Vthis purpose. This chain extends from 4a sprocket 47 on the motor shaft 'to a sprocket 47a on the shaft 46 of the feed roller 42,6. The motor shaft also carries a single-rotation cam 448. This cam may have a smooth `circular exterior cam surface, as best 'shown in FIG. '6, interrupted only by a recess 49. Riding on the cam surface are two followers, one control ling the arm 50 of a single-pole doublethrow switch 5 1, the other controlling the movable arm I5 2 of a single-pole single-throw switch 53. For a purpose presently to 'be described, the switch 53- is normally closed.

Also mounted in association with the housing is a re= lay (see FIG. 6) comprising ya coil 54 and three single= pole single-throw armatures or switches 55,56 and 57. The switch 55 is normally closed, and the switches -56 Yand 517 are normally open. 'Y

lBefore describing the operation, `certain Veleinenfs shown in FIG. 6 and 'not thus far described, will `be pointed out; The switch that is actuated by insertion of the book card 10 is designated as card micro. It is -a single-pole double* throw switch. Under normal circumstances, the Vmovable part establishes contact at 5 8 with a 'pole designated-card out. Whenever a book card is inserted, fthe 'movable 'part of the switch is caused rto establish contact vat 59, `'designated card in. An electrical connection is established at 60 between the movable part of the fcard micro` s'witch and the terminal 61 ofthe switch 51. The switch 51ly normally closes the connection to the pole 61. Whenever the camy 48 is rotated, the 'movable part 50 of the` switch 51 breaks contact -at 61 and establishes Contact at 62. A lead -63 extends from contact 62 to one pole of the switch V56. The Vconnection 163 also leadstothe motor A lead 64 connects the other terminal of theV motor to one pole 65 of the switch 43. The other pole is connected at 66 'to the power line 67. 4

The card out terminal 58 of the card micro switch is connected at 68 to one terminal vof switch 56. The card in terminal 59 is connected at '69 to one :terminal lot switch 'and at 70 to the'splash switch 41. The other -pole of the latter switch is connected at 71 to the movable part 52 of switch 53, and continues on (at 72) to the relay coil 54. VF`he other end of coil 54 is connected to the power line 67.

The xed terminal 73 of the switch 53 connects at 74 to one terminal of armature switch 57. The other terminal of switch 57 connects to the power line 75.

Operation Power is supplied to main lines 75 and 67 from plug 17 (left-hand side of FIG. 6).

Under normal conditions, i.e., with the solenoid 35 deenergized, the parts are in the relationships shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. A closing of the main switch 18 indicates (by means of indicator light 76) that the power is on.

After the date indicator 19 has been set as desired, and the borrower card 21V inserted into holder 20, the book card is introduced and actuates the card micro to break the connection at 58 and establish it at 59. This provides power to the rectifier 77 via leads 78 and 79, normally closed switch 55, leads 69 and 60, and terminal 61. As a result the solenoid 35 is activated, thus raising the tab applicator 34. Almost instantaneously the applicator 34 severs the end region 28 of the tape, imprints it, and presses it in the form of a tab upwardly against the book card 10 and platen 33, as shown in FIG. 4.

The impact of the applicator 34 against the platen 33 is suicient to cause the splash switch 41 to close, thus establishing a circuit which feeds power to and thus activates the relay 54. The circuit can be traced from line 67 to relay 54, thence via leads 72, 71, switch 41, lead 70, switch terminal 59, lead 60, and switch terminal 61 to line 75.

An activation of relay coil 54 opens switch 55 and closes switches 56 and 57.

The opening of switch 55 breaks the solenoid circuit, as a result of which `the upward movement of the applicator 34 is completed by inertia and it immediately returns by gravity to its lower position. During its rise it has opened switch 43 and upon its return it has reclosed it.

The closing of switch 57 establishes a holding circuit via lead 74, switch terminal 73, and lead 72, to maintain the relay in activated condition despite the fact that splash switch 41 opens almost at once since its closing was only momentary.

The closing of switch 56 places the motor circuit in readiness for activation of the motor 44, provided the book card 10 is withdrawn to close the circuit at the card out terminal 58. The motor activating circuit can be traced from line 75 to switch terminal 61, thence via lead 60, switch terminal 58, lead 68, switch 56, leads 63 and 64, switch terminal 65 and lead 66 to line 67. This circuit is completed only when the switch 43 is closed, i.e., only after the solenoid core and tab applicator have returned to -their lower rest position.

The activation of the motor starts an advancement of the tape 22 to bring the next end region into the position shown at 28 in FIG. 3. It also starts the rotation of the cam 48 which almost immediately actuates switch 51 to break the contact at 61 and to close it at 62. This has two effects:

The opening of the switch at 61 has no effect of immediate signiicance, but the closing of the switch at 62 establishes a holding circuit for the motor, independent of the relay. This holding circuit can be traced from line 75 to switch terminal 62, thence through lead 63 to the motor and via lead 64, switch 43, and lead 66 to the line 67.

Near the end of its movement through a single complete rotation, the cam 48 presents its recess 49 to the switch 53, as a result of which this switch is opened momentarily and then reclosed. The opening of the switch 53 breaks the relay holding circuit, thus deenergizing the relay. It is not reactivated upon reclosing of the switch 53 because the holding circuit has been broken at 57.

At the completion of one complete revolution of the cam 48, the switch 51 returns automatically (by a spring action) to the noi-mal position shown, with contact at 62 broken and reestablished at 61. The breaking of contact at 62 breaks the motor holding circuit, -thus stopping the motor. This restores all the elements to the original relationships shown in FIG. 6.

It will be observed that if the -book card is inadvertently held in position for a period longer than necessary, or if an attempt is m-ade to reactivate the apparatus too soon, i.e., before completion of an entire cycle, no ill effects are produced, because the activation of the tab applicator 34 brings about an immediate energizing of the relay 54 and a consequent opening of the switch 55. Reactivation of the tab applicator requires that the switch 55 be closed, and this cannot take place until the relay 54 has been deenergized upon substantial completion of a 360 revolution of the cam 48.

It will be understood that many of the mechanical and electrical details herein disclosed may be modied without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for handling book-borrowing transactions, a downwardly directed platen, a solenoid beneath it, a tab applicator carried by the solenoid core and movable upward against the platen when the solenoid is energized, a supply of adhesive-coated imprintable tape and means for intermittently advancing it to interpose successive end regions thereof between the platen and the applicator, said applicator including means for severing the interposed end region to define a tab and for imprinting and pressing the tab upwardly, a holder on said applicator for temporarily accommodating a borrower card bearing data transferrable to said tab during the imprinting operation, a dating mechanism carried by said applicator adapted to imprint a selected due-date designation upon said tab, means for accommodating a book card in a tab-receiving position beneath the platen in the path of upward movement of the applicator so that the imprinted tab is pressed by the applicator into adhesive contact with said card, and an electric switch activated by the insertion of the book card to tab-receiving position for energizing said solenoid.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is a means initiated by the commencement of movement of the tab applicator for deenergizing the solenoid.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the supply of tape is in the form of a continuous length and the means for intermittently advancing it comprises a motor, and means for initiating motor operation after tab application but not until the tab applicator has returned to its lower position following deenergization of the solenoid.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the supply of tape is in the form of a continuous length and the means for intermittently advancing it comprises a motor and a control circuit therefor, said control circuit including -rst and second switches, a relay for closing the rst switch, means activated by the tab applicator for energizing the relay after upward applicator movement starts, and means activated by the tab applicator for closing the second switch only when the applicator is in its lower position.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a mercury splash switch carried by and movable with the tab applicator.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the lastmentioned means comprises a solenoid control circuit which includes a normally closed switch, a relay for opening it, a relay circuit, and a normally open mercury splash switch in said relay circuit and carried by and movable with the tab applicator.

7. In an apparatus for handling book-borrowing transactions, a downwardly directed platen, a solenoid beneath it, a tab applicator carried by the solenoid core and movable upward against the platen when the solenoid is en- 7 ergized, a supply of adhesive-coated imprintable tape and means for intermittently advancing it to-interpose successive Yend regions thereof between the platen and the applicator, said applicator including rneans for severing the interposed end region to define a tab and for imprinting and pressing the tab upwardly, a holder on said applicator for temporarily accommodating a borrower card bearing data transferrable to said tab during the imprinting operation, a dating mechanism carried by said applicator adapted to imprint a selected due-date designation upon said tab, means for accommodating a book card in a tab-receiving position beneath the platen in the path of upward movement of the applicator so that the imprinted tab is pressed by the applicator into adhesive contact With said card, a'solenoid control circuit including a normally `closed switch, a relay for opening said switch, .a switch activated by the insertion of the book card to tab-receiving position for energizing the solenoid control circuit, and means initiated by the commencement of movement of the tab applicator for energizing said relay thereby lbreaking the solenoid control circuit.

8. An apparatus .as set forth in claim 7, wherein the tape advancing means comprises a motor, and wherein the motor also drives va single-revolution cam, said cam cooperating'with first and second switches, the rst switch being normally open and being closed when cam rotation starts and arranged when closed to establish a motor holding circuit, the second switch being normally closed and being in a relay holding circuit and arranged to open and thus break said holding circuit upon substantial completion of a single revolution of the cam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,426,780 s/1922 Schweiger 156-355 2,304,386 12/1942 Vahle 156-384 X 2,564,901 :V3/1951 Hess k 156-353 X 2,639,830 5/1953 weivmout k v 156-353 2,674,056 4/1954 sehwartz et a1. 156-358 2,754,022 7/1956 schneider 156-355 3,231,446 1/ 1966 sans v 156-384 EARL M .'BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

HAROLD ANSHER, Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BOOK-BORROWING TRANSACTIONS, A DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED PLATEN, A SOLENOID BENEATH IT, A TAB APPLICATOR CARRIED BY THE SOLENOID CORE AND MOVABLE UPWARD AGAINST THE PLATEN WHEN THE SOLENOID IS ENERGIZED, A SUPPLY OF ADHESIVE-COATED IMPRINTABLE TAPE AND MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY ADVANCING IT IT INTERPOSE SUCCESSIVE END REGIONS THEREOF BETWEEN THE PLATEN AND THE APPLICATOR, SAID APPLICATOR INCLUDING MEANS FOR SEVERING THE INTERPOSED END REGION TO DEFINE A TAB AND FOR IMPRINTING AND PRESSING THE TAB UPWARDLY, A HOLDER ON SAID APPLICATOR FOR TEMPERALY ACCOMMODATING A BORROWER CARD BEARING DATA TRANSFERRABLE TO SAID TAB DURING THE IMPRINTING OPERATION, A DATING MECHANISM CARRIED BY SAID APPLICATOR ADAPTED TO IMPRINT A SELECTED DUE-DATE DESIGNATION UPON SAID TAB, MEANS FOR ACCOMMODATING A BOOK CARD IN A TAB-RECEIVING POSITION BENEATH THE PLATEN IN THE PATH OF UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE APPLICATOR SO THAT THE IMPRINTED TAB IS PRESSED BY THE APPLICATOR INTO ADHESIVE CONTACT WITH SAID CARD, AND AN ELECTRIC SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE INSERTION OF THE BOOK CARD TO TAB-RECEIVING POSITION FOR ENERGIZING SAID SOLENOID. 